Last Queensland Inland Rail preferred section selected
05 October 2017
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The preferred section of the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail corridor between Yelarbon and Gowrie has been determined
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Decision follows a review of four potential alignment options
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Planning and approvals process to commence, along with further community consultation
Federal Minister for
Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester today announced the
preferred corridor for the
Yelarbon and Gowrie section of the
Inland
Rail project, which will transform regional economies.
Mr Chester said the decision, which would run via Pittsworth, Brookstead
and the Wellcamp-Charlton industrial precinct, was not taken lightly.
“This decision was based on rigorous technical analysis and consultation
with community and industry representatives,” Mr Chester said. “In
addition, Mr Bruce Wilson AM, Chair of the Yelarbon to Gowrie Project
Reference Group, provided me with his independent views.
“I appreciate that many in the community have been seeking certainty
about the alignment. All options present challenges but it is my view,
based on the available information, that the corridor via Wellcamp and
Charlton is the right decision.
“The Government has chosen this route because: as much as possible it
uses existing
rail corridors; it goes past Wellcamp Airport, which
didn't exist in 2010 when the original route was considered; and it is
significantly more economically viable option than the alternative
routes.
“The Inland Rail project will generate billions of dollars in economic
growth, create 16,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction and
will make our roads safer by transferring freight from thousands of
trucks to rail.
“I acknowledge there will be impacts to those living and working on or
near the preferred route. The Government will work with the communities
on the preferred route to minimise the impacts and maximise the
benefits.
“The final design will be subject to an extensive State government
planning and approvals process, which will work through questions about
technical and environmental aspects.
“I understand that people have concerns about the impacts of the rail
line on the floodplain, and I am confident that by using the best
engineering minds in Australia we will ensure that the effects are
minimised.
“To ensure the views of the community continue be heard, a Border to
Gowrie Community Consultative Committee will be established to provide
feedback from landholders, businesses and residents.”
Inland Rail is a once-in-a-generation project, and the
Australian
Government committed an additional $8.4 billion in the 2017–18 Budget to
its delivery.
More than half of this investment will be spent in
Queensland and it is
expected that Inland Rail will contribute an extra $2 billion to the
Toowoomba and Darling Downs economy.
--ENDS--
Source: Australian Government - www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au
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